Australia - nat. overview and ACMA
Overview
In Australia, online gambling is federally regulated by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) and performed by the ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority). Model: "everything not allowed by IGA is prohibited." Online wagering (sports/horse racing) is allowed with Australian-licensed providers; online casinos, online poker, online in-play betting, "betting on the outcome of lotteries," as well as any services without an Australian license are prohibited. Advertising of prohibited services is also prohibited.
Legal framework: IGA and ACMA powers
IGA 2001: prohibits the provision of certain interactive services to Australian residents:- online casinos;
- in-play sports betting online;
- betting services without an Australian licence;
- betting on the outcome of the lottery.
- Advertising of such services and the offer of credit is prohibited.
- IGA exceptions: Online pre-match wagering is allowed at a licensed operator; in-play is permissible only by phone with full speaking of the bet by voice.
- The role of ACMA: IGA compliance control, investigations, site blocking orders, fines and complaint handling. ACMA maintains a public list of blocked domains.
What is legal and what is prohibited (online)
Legal (under Australian licence):- Sports/race betting prior to the event via web/mobile.
- In-play telephone rates (strict requirements for full voice registration).
- Online casinos and poker, slots, live casinos, etc.
- In-play online (website/app).
- "Betting on lottery outcomes."
- Any offshore services without an Australian license and their advertising.
National Consumer Protection (NCPF) and BetStop
National Consumer Protection Framework (NCPF): 10 protection measures (deposit/loss limits, mandatory statements, prohibition of "inducements" in certain forms, strict marketing rules, etc.) - agreed by the federation and states/territories, are mandatory for all licensed online wagering providers.
BetStop - national register of self-exclusion: launched on August 21, 2023; single action excludes the user from all Australian online and telephone wagering services, prohibits marketing contact.
Payments: Banning credit cards and cryptocurrencies
From June 11, 2024, online operators are not entitled to accept credit cards, credit products/wallets and digital currencies (cryptocurrency) for online/phone rates. The goal is to unify the rules with the offline market.
Advertising and Media
ACMA administers strict restrictions on advertising in TV/radio/online: threshold windows for protecting children, special rules on live-sport (before, during and after), bans on misleading/socially irresponsible materials, as well as warnings to influencers about the inadmissibility of promoting illegal services. Further tightening up to a phased ban on online gambling advertising is being discussed.
ACMA enforcement tools
Blocking domains of illegal casinos/bookmakers and affiliate sites (first wave - from 2019; in 2025, the number of blocked exceeded 1,300).
Spot warnings to influencers/media for promoting offshore brands masquerading as "Australian."
Targeted response to attempts to bypass locks and targeting vulnerable groups (including individuals from BetStop).
State/Territory and AML Roles
Licensing of land-based casinos, sweepstakes, clubs - at the state/territory level; Online wagering licenses are also issued at the state level (for example, in Queensland - OLGR).
AML/CFT Supervision - AUSTRAC; in recent years - large cases against betting operators/casinos (Entain, Crown, SkyCity, Star), which has strengthened the requirements for CCS/monitoring and reporting.
Market practice: offshore and "mirrors"
Despite the blockages, some offshore brands continue to appear under new domains; ACMA systemically expands the list and works with platforms/influencers. Regulators and NGOs are promoting the idea of strengthening tools (blocking payments, restrictions on affiliate marketing).
High-level checklist
1. No online casino/poker, in-play online and lotto-betting for Australia's audience.
2. Australian license only for online wagering products; comply with NCPF and BetStop (connection, list sharing, marketing ban).
3. Payments: block credit/credit wallets/crypto for bets; trace audit.
4. Advertising/UGC: follow ACMA rules for TV/radio/online; not to cooperate with influencers promoting offshore.
5. AML/CTF: build KYC, transaction monitoring, reporting to AUSTRAC; consider recent cases and penalty practices.
Perspective (2025-2027)
The basic architecture of IGA + ACMA + NCPF + BetStop has already been formed; trend - strengthening advertising control, expanding blocking and targeted work against offshore and affiliates. For legal operators, the key to sustainability is strict compliance with NCPF/BetStop and payment restrictions; for B2B providers - focus on compliance functions, responsible play and audit trails.
Terms
IGA (Interactive Gambling Act 2001) is a federal law that prohibits a number of online services and regulates advertising.
ACMA - Regulator/Supervisor of Online Gaming, Advertising and Blocking.
NCPF - National Consumer Protection System in Online Vaping (10 measures).
BetStop - national register of self-exclusion (since 21. 08. 2023).
Credit ban - banning credit cards/wallets and crypto for online betting (from 11. 06. 2024).